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[360 Feedback] Cycle Setup

Updated over a week ago

360° feedback (also called peer review) helps you collect well-rounded input from coworkers, managers, and collaborators. When used alongside performance reviews, it gives a more complete picture of performance and growth.

This guide walks you through creating and running a 360° feedback cycle in Small Improvements, from setup to delivery.

Overview of the 360° workflow

Here’s how a typical cycle works:

  1. Create the cycle with timeline, questions, and settings

  2. Select reviewees (who will receive feedback)

  3. Nominate reviewers (optional step for participants)

  4. Approve reviewers (optional manager step)

  5. Collect feedback from reviewers

  6. Release feedback to recipients

You can adjust or skip steps depending on your company’s process.

Creating a 360° feedback cycle

To get started:

  1. Go to Admin → 360s

  2. Click Create Cycle (or copy an existing cycle)

  3. Follow the setup steps

  4. Review your configuration

  5. Click Create cycle

You’ll be guided through each section below.

Step 1: Select reviewees

Choose who will receive feedback in this cycle.

  1. Select individuals, teams, or departments

  2. Optionally filter (e.g. managers only for upward feedback)

  3. Click Next

Tip: You can click Choose Later if you're not ready yet. This is useful when planning ahead.

Step 2: Name your cycle

Give your cycle context and clarity.

  1. Enter a Cycle name

  2. Add an Introduction for reviewers

  3. Click Next

Use the introduction to guide feedback (for example, focus on a specific time period or goals).

Step 3: Configure reviewer selection

Decide how reviewers are chosen.

  1. Choose whether participants can nominate reviewers

  2. Optionally allow:

    • Manager or HR selection only

    • Limits on the number of reviewers

    • Suggested reviewer count

  3. Click Next

Note: You can skip nominations entirely if you prefer managers to assign reviewers.

Step 4: Compose the questionnaire

Define what feedback looks like.

  1. Select a questionnaire template or create your own

  2. These are the question types available in 360 feedback questionnaires:

    • Free text

    • Multiple choice

    • Linear scale

    • Checkbox

  3. (Optional) Add Headings to group questions

  4. Click Next

You can learn more about 360 feedback question types here.

Tip: Keep it focused. A shorter questionnaire leads to higher-quality feedback.

Step 5: Set visibility and anonymity

Control who sees what.

  1. Choose who can see the feedback:

    • Reviewee

    • Manager

    • Indirect manager

  2. Choose whether reviewers are anonymous

  3. Click Next

Learn more about fine-tuning your visibility settings here.

Note: Even with anonymous feedback, reviewees may still see the list of reviewers, just not who wrote each response.

Step 6: Set the timeline

Define when each phase happens.

  1. Set the Start date

  2. Adjust deadlines (nominations, approvals, feedback)

  3. Choose whether to send kickoff emails automatically

  4. Click Next

If you set a future start date, timelines will auto-adjust based on recommended durations.

Here's a guide on all of the dates and deadlines for a 360 feedback cycle.

Step 7: Automate reminders

Keep everyone on track.

  1. Enable reminders for:

    • Reviewer nominations

    • Feedback submissions

  2. Choose frequency (weekday and time)

  3. Click Next

Step 8: Customize notifications

Edit email communications specifically for this cycle (optional).

  1. Review default messages

  2. Add custom instructions or context

  3. Save your changes

You can update these at any time during the cycle.

Tip: This is especially helpful when running an upward manager cycle, since the default emails are focused on peer feedback.

Emails can also be edited at the account level. Here's a walkthrough.

Learn more about 360 feedback emails and notifications here.

Final step: Create and launch

  1. Review your settings

  2. Click Create cycle

  3. (Optional) Send invitations immediately

If nominations are enabled and the cycle starts right away, you’ll be prompted to notify participants.

What happens after creation?

Depending on your setup:

  • Reviewees may nominate reviewers

  • Managers may approve reviewer lists

  • Reviewers will be invited to give feedback

  • Admins can monitor progress and send reminders

  • Feedback is released automatically or by managers

Best practices

  • Run 360° cycles alongside performance reviews for a balanced approach

  • Keep questionnaires short and actionable

  • Use introductions to guide high-quality feedback

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